Being a political leader calls for empathy.

As a staffer with the Florida Public Service Commission, I would attend the Commission’s agenda conference about two times a month. It was during the conference that the five members of the Commission would listen to staff recommendations on a number of policy and regulatory issues ranging from electric utilities to telecommunications to water and wastewater. It was the time for staff to put on the business attire, engage utility representatives, and present their recommendations to Commission members.

I enjoyed the atmosphere. It was a lot like the theater. No matter how intense the preparation during “mock agenda” with my division colleagues, I was always a bit nervous before “getting on stage.” I never knew what the commissioners were going to ask me and at times I was not sure about the answer I would give. Over the years I learned that keeping in my mind the clear picture of how I was going to present and perform would go a long way to calm me down.

The issues I presented dealt with telecommunications policy and enforcement of regulatory rules on telecommunications carriers. Telecom was an increasingly sexy area during the early to mid 1990s. My plate was full with discussions on the emergence of personal communications systems, integrated service digital networks, and local telephone competition policy. But as I sat in the conference room waiting for my items to be called, there were times when issues surrounding water, wastewater, and natural gas would grab my attention.

Specifically, the issues grabbed my attention when the presentation was accompanied by a busload of citizens.

To be honest, in my early days as a staffer, I had my “Oh, lord” moments when word would spread that a couple busloads of senior citizens or retirees were heading up from central or southwest Florida to share their concerns about water and natural gas rates. Empathy then was not my forte. I found them loud, emotional, and intrusive. How dare they interfere in our conclave and inject into the confluence of law, politics, finance, and policy the concept of …. democracy?

With time came that filling up of the gap between the delusion of regulatory intellect and the real world, on the ground perception of being raked over the coals by high rates. And even if these were astroturf groups financed by some special interests, the people that they touted for were real people with real problems.

Fortunately for consumers and the utilities we had commissioners that not only struck that balance between ratepayer and utility investor, but commissioners that navigated the gray area between the academics of ratemaking and the reality of making ends meet while, in a lot of cases, on a fixed income.

I am at times loathe to call a politician a leader. As you continue to read my blog posts you will see me make clear the distinction. But for now, whether a politician refers to herself as a leader or has that moniker lumped on her by the public, the ability to empathize reduces the biases that can seep into our decision-making. With maturity comes the capacity to make empathy appear natural. As she matures, the politician herself has done a little living; may have faced the same problems the constituent is facing; has worn the shoes the constituent is wearing.

Can empathy be taught? Yes, it can be taught, but there is a risk that, depending on where the politician is during their growth cycle, signs of empathy may come off more forced than organic.

The journey should start early. An elected or appointed official should not want to risk putting off later in their career the ability to empathize. The voter may not provide her with a long or linear learning curve.

To empathize is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength and goes a long way in validating you as a leader because you have found a way to keep your biases in check.

I wrapped up my government career in consumer affairs. With practice and age came listening skills and life experience which combined helped weave my empathy skills. Seeing two sides to an issue and giving someone a hearing is empowering.

Alton Drew

25 March 2023

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